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It’s been a pretty terrible year for music so far, I feel like nothing has been released of any significance yet – bar the odd few – and there’s been quite a lot of disappointment as well. Nonetheless, music will always be there and there’s still been some crackers released in this calendar year. So what better way to celebrate those braving an album release in the winter months than to list out which of them have been the best so far. I usually do these in no particular order but I thought it’d be more interesting to see for those that make it to the end of the year list, whether or not they would rise up the ranks or drop out entirely. There’s a decent mixture of music here so I’m hoping there’s something for everyone and if your list varies then let me know what has been your favourite of 2018 so far on all my social medias!

For Fans of:
Sex Pistols, The Clash, Slaves
Cabbage are already my favourite punk band, both serious and playful at the same time with a die hard fanbase already established. What they've managed to achieve in such a short space of time is truly remarkable, embarking on tour after tour after tour after tour, it's something that must have really taken it out of them and yet somehow they've managed to find time to record their debut album.

To represent how good this band are, they released a collection of their early EPs early in 2017 and it made it into my top 20 albums of the year, with relative ease. Their knack for creating something that is so brash and abrasive yet so catchy is unmatched in post-punk and it has helped them to carve their way into the music scene on their own terms.

'Nihlistic Glamour Shots' is to be released on 30th March this year and to say I am excited is an understatement. If the album is even half as good as the call-out anthem that is &qu…

Arctic Monkeys
It’s pretty much been a lifelong dream to go and see AM live, they’re a band that has always had a massive influence on me and they helped to define my teenage years. The AM tour was too expensive for me when I was 15 and any tour before that was as well, nonetheless, the thirst to see them perform their magnificent back catalogue has never died and I WILL see Alex Turner and co one day. On the plus side, I have seen Alex Turner live as part of The Last Shadow Puppets, but it’s just not the same.

Tyler The Creator
As of late I’ve not really listened to Tyler The Creator, I did give ‘Flower Boy’ a quick listen but I’ve not revisited it since despite it being half decent. But the 14 year old me is screaming at me to go and see the young rapper live, purely out of nostalgia. I remember the first time I listened to Goblin and it blew my puny little mind, I thought it was so edgy and cool at the time… Now not so much but still, I imagine he puts on one energetic show!

Hurd are a vinyl subscription service that was started in 2016 by partners Gabby Barrett and Jack Miles who were both working in different forms of media but they were determined to do what they love - get into music. So they quit their jobs and started renovating a caravan in which thy held sessions for musicians. They toured a few festivals with it including Lee Fest and it was clear their dream was beginning to materialise. But they wanted to spread the word about all of this new music they were enjoying but the rest of the country wasn't, so they connected their adoration of the vinyl format with their love for new music and Hurd, my favourite vinyl subscription was born.

Trudy & The Romance was their first ever edition, which Hurd were kind enough to send to me. Trudy have gone on to grow a cult following and have grown and grown since this record was released in November 2016. Despite Gabby and Jack clearly having a very keen eye for what bands should have their music pr…

Gary Numan is just one of those people who is a legend or an icon, no matter your view on him you can’t deny his impact upon music, especially through the late 70s and early 80s. Ashamedly, I’ve only got into his music quite recently, as my music taste has evolved into something that adores synth-pop it has made the less accessible, accessible. I think Numan is less accessible due to his sheer power with synths, it really is a talent that is nigh on unmatched to this very day.

Warwick Arts Centre is in Coventry (go figure) and right in the middle of Warwick Uni’s campus (go figure again). It’s a lovely little venue, currently undergoing reconstruction so there’s some building work about. It doubles up as a cinema as well which I found ultra cool. In the main foyet there was a makeshift table which was also the merch stand. The merch was ridiculously expensive, I don’t know when it became acceptable to charge £30 (T H I R T Y P O U N D S) for a tour tee, tees that are renowned for be…

Check out my stories from previous Record Store Day's RSD 2016RSD 2017
Record Store Day is creeping up on us now, and despite it receiving wider spread criticism than it ever has, I'm still unashamedly on board with it. I get that it puts pressure on pressing plants and results in some releases being pushed back, I completely understand the negatives. However, on no other day of the year are you going to see people camping outside their record store for any release, it never happens because most pre-order or just waltz in during the day to pick it up. Not to mention, this is a really good social event. I've met lots of like minded people, a lot who were only there for a single release and some who were desperately seeking a plethora of things. Nonetheless, in fear of this getting too ranty - here is my list of the 25 things I'm going to be looking out for on Record Store Day, 2018....... Jake Bugg - Alcohol
It's hard to remember a time when I wasn't a fan of Jak…